The women of Fayetteville chose Matilda Joslyn Gage to present the flag they had prepared for the 122nd regiment to carry onto the Civil War battlefield. While Lincoln maintained that the war was being fought to preserve the Union, Gage told the soldiers they were fighting for a far greater cause – freedom. “Until liberty is attained” for everyone, “there can be no permanent peace.” On August 25, 2012, Susan Goodier organized a recreation of the flag presentation, with Denise Butler reading Gage’s speech and the “Colonel” from the 122nd re-enactor regiment delivering the acceptance speech. As the Excelsior Cornet Band performed songs from the Civil War Era on period instruments, the audience was transported back in time.